Cookies For Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner!!

Today I've been a bit off track. I walked my dog this morning but couldn't find the motivation to really work out. I keep telling myself that I'll do it later ... but let's be honest, at this point that is probably not going to happen since I am already in pain! For those of you who don't know I suffer from severe chronic shoulder, back, and neck pain. I attribute my pain to being "blessed" with GIANT knockers ... for those of you who don't believe, I was a 34G ... I hid them as well as I could when I had them, but they were huge and painful and I was limited in the physical activities I could take part in. Last November I made the best decision of my life and I had them removed. It has been a very difficult journey adapting to life without giant breasts in my face ... but some how I have survived ;-)
I am now a 34 D .... I was hoping for a C but they are still large ... which I guess isn't horrible. Since my surgery my pain has been cut in half. I used to be in pain every single day, I would take Tylenol, Ib Profen, Vicodin, and anything else I could get my hands on to ease the pain. I hated it, I hated having to fill my body with these horrible pills that may help the current pain but just destroy your insides. I did everything I could as far as stretching, massage, chiropractic, working out to strengthen certain muscles and it seemed like everything I did made the pain worse.

Now, I am pleased to say I am relatively pain free, and that's good enough for me! I'm proud to say that I'm in pain today because I did a hardcore arm and shoulder workout yesterday that I never in my life thought I would be able to do. I am able to push myself because I know that if I do I will only get stronger and the pain will be worth it now! It's an amazing feeling! That's why this year is the year I am going to do a pull-up ...(hopefully more than one!) Because I can! I don't have giant cantaloupes weighing me down anymore! I am melon free! ... (now they are more like apples)

So due to my pain and being offtrackedness ... I made some Paula Dean cookies ya'll ... and Tasha made some yummy and healthy "Everything Soup" ... so if you need some sweets here is my suggestion, make them yourself and give away at least 85% of whatever you make. Then enjoy the rest, you made em so you know what is in them, and I'm sure you burnt a few calories making them, so why not enjoy your sweets every once in a while?? I'm just lucky Tasha was here to make a super healthy and delicious soup!! Today definitely calls for soup so I will post the recipe below! She did it with some monkeys on her back ... not sure if I'm that talented! Look at Cody's "Coolio" hair ... poor girl ... didn't even have a chance!

Everything Soup - Tasha style

2 sliced chicken tenderloins
1 medium diced onion
2 minced garlic cloves
1/2 chopped green bell pepper
2 chopped celery stalks
1 chopped medium carrot
2 diced potatoes
1/2 can diced tomatoes
Chopped squash of choice
Box of chicken stock or broth
Seasoning of choice
salt
pepper
olive oil

Start with a large pot and heat up 1 tbsp. of olive oil. Put the chicken in and let cook all the way through. Once chicken is lightly browned add onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Saute for a few minutes then add the rest of the veggies. Season with salt, pepper, any other seasonings you like. Saute for a few more minutes then add the chicken stock and you can also add water or more stock depending on how much you would like. Bring everything to a boil and then just let it simmer at least 30 minutes! The longer it sits the better it gets!! But the key to Everything Soup is using whatever you have! Make it your own! Add rice, beans, or pasta for more umph!
(This is not an exact recipe if you really have no clue how to make soup then call me ...)


Chop all your veggies first so you can just throw it all in and not have to worry about leaving anything out!

Brown that meat all purty! You can chop it up first or cook it then chop it! Whatever your in the mood for! Or you don't even have to add meat! That's the BEAUTY of "Everything Soup!"
After it cooks it should be full of color and flavor and just add salt and pepper to taste!




And then you should probably reward yourself for being so healthy!
Also, I know I promised self pics but I just haven't had time yet! I'll get there I promise!

These Pictures are worth at least a few words ...

So this morning I was rudely awakened at 6 o' clock ... yes it is Sunday. If I were a good Christian I would get dressed and go to church. But instead I am listening to worship music on Pandora, eating a pretty healthy breakfast, doing a P90X workout and then taking my Layla on a walk so I can have some prayer time. When I get back I will probably then watch BET's Bobby Jones Gospel (not gonna lie ... I LOVE that show!)

When I woke up Waffles were on my mind. I failed last night. It was late, my stomach was rumbling, I ate some waffles. And they were delicious!! Thankfully ... today is a new day! As I was waking up thinking about how delicious more waffles would be I decided I wasn't going to give in this morning. I was going to stay strong!

So here is my breakfast:
Now your first reaction might have been "ewww she's putting spinach in eggs?? Ok I am seriously not going to read her blog anymore." But before you write me off, let me assure you! It actually isn't that bad! I chop the spinach up, wait until the eggs are almost cooked, throw the spinach in turn the heat all the way down and just let the spinach wilt. Then for flavor I add some salt and a ton of pepper. It's actually very eatable. I'm not going to lie and say it's delicious but it is eatable and you get used to it. I like a ton of pepper, you might like hot sauce. Just try it, it won't kill you. In addition this morning I had a piece of whole wheat toast and my standard cup of black tea. If you are really trying to be healthy leave out the toast and opt for oatmeal. But, I do HIGHLY RECOMMEND you take up tea drinking! Not only will it make you more sophisticated by default, it is also very good for you. Tea is full of antioxidants, and has less caffiene than coffee. I drink it straight if you can't, I recommend honey or agave as a sweetener and some skim milk. You might just find yourself LOVING IT! (said in my FAB UU LOUSSS voice)

Later today I am going to post my before pics in my bathing suit and a pic of me attempting to do a pull up so you can keep me accountable and track my progress! Any suggestions?? Lemme know!

The Start-UP

Today I begin my journey ... who am I kidding I've already begun my journey!! But today is the day I put my journey out there for the world to see. (Or at least a few facebook friends)
Last night I was driving on my way to get my nails done because I couldn't take it any more, and I was listening to UGK Int'l Player's Anthem. Now ... for those of you who know that song, you are probably chuckling, for those of you who don't ... just keep reading. It is a very inspirational song of sorts, it gets you going, your body moves in absolutely ridiculous ways when dancing to this song. Anyways, that's when it struck me, I need motivation!
Everyday I browse fitness articles and healthy recipes and then somehow I end up on Food Network drooling over every one of Paula Dean's recipes, all the meanwhile I am usually eating handfuls of sugar.
For example, and this is seriously NO JOKE, this was what I ate yesterday:
Breakfast: Sweet tarts, chocolate covered almonds, 2 bowls of Life
Snack: More sweet tarts, chocolate covered almonds
Lunch: Pumpkin Scone (REALLY JOY! REALLY??? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?)
..Here's where my day changed ... at 2:00 I decided to do some P90X .... I did 45 mins. It felt like 3 hours. I could barely move because my stomach was full of CRAP! But I did it!
Afternoon Supper: Eggs, spinach, onions, tomatoes, cheese
Dinner: Fried Chicken (not my fault, Ron made it)
Dessert: While I DID NOT deserve dessert .... Mochi, sweet tarts, and chocolate covered almonds


Ok, so .... my whole reasoning behind posting this was so that hopefully you can feel better about yourself! Even after I decided I was going to start eating healthy and getting in shape I still ate fried chicken and dessert. But everyday is a new day.
Today:
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Raspberries, Strawberry's (Praise Jesus for a new day!!)

So I would like to bare my soul to you ... well at least a few things from my soul ;-)
If I can be an inspiration to you that would be awesome. If I could be an example of what not to do, hey that works for me!! I am just hoping that my honesty will encourage you to be honest with yourself. Prepare yourself lovers! You are about to see some things that will make you laugh, (like a picture of me doing a pull up) things that will make you cry, (me eating 3 boxes of mochi in one sitting ... well actually that might make you laugh) things that make you think, (Why does Ron put up with her?) and most importantly there will be plenty of things to come that will make you feel really really good about yourself even as you insert that donut into your mouth!
This is the year! The year I am going to do a freaking pull-up! Hey if I can..... you can....